Forza Motorsport 5 Review

The bodywork is built for showing off your new machine, but there's something more substantial under the hood.

You will show off your Xbox One with Forza 5. Its wonderful vistas and gorgeous cars make it perfect for public display. But as great as it looks, it's Drivatar that's Forza's real evolution.

Drivatar learns the way you and every player drives, taking that data and applying it to AI opponents, making every race feel unique. No longer will you smash your way into first place and coast along; drivers aggressively look to regain position, bump you off the road and refuse to concede simply because you are on the racing line.

Opponents are equally as likely to make mistakes, too. Many times drivers crashed spectacularly, leaving me to avoid the incident and try and stay in the race. There is a thrilling sense of speed that keeps you engaged in every part of a race, alert to whichever challenge is rapidly approaching your bumper.

Drivatar also allows for deeper difficulty customisation to suit your skill. The spread of medal rewards makes it all the more enticing to increase the challenge. It's no longer a chase for the podium, but a series of battles across the entire track. Battling to edge your way into the top 10 and earn a bronze is just as exciting as going for gold.

But as much as Drivatar learns how you drive, it doesn't learn how you like to race. It would be nice if Forza paired you with drivers who have a similar driving style to you, be it with finesse or smash-and-grab aggression. Spending half a lap looking for the perfect overtake only to be clattered a la Destruction Derby is infuriating.

Some flaws can frustrate in prolonged sessions. The classical music adds unnecessary pretension and a disjointed sense of calm. Equally, every crash sounds identical, cheapening their intensity, and the lack of night races and dynamic weather is inexcusable, especially when racers on the previous generation offer both.

Despite these problems, nothing takes away from what is a great game. Every moment is exhilarating, and Drivatar isn't just a buzzword but an example of what the next-gen can do.

9 Comments

User Comments

Got on this last night. Simply amazing. Driveatar is just phenomenal diving behind 1st place in Abu Dhabi and he just lost control on the last but one corner just so realistic. I think your friends are more likely to appear only one of my friends list had played it last night and he appeared on the game.

Forza is the only exclusive I'm interested in on either console. It makes the console war this time around seem so different.
I'll miss Forza if I get a PS4, but then it's only one game, and PS4 has Gran Turismo too.

Forza 4 the best racing game I ever played as for forza 5 mm fewer car fewer track it like a step back but I'm gana wait 1 or 2 year to buy new console or to choose which one
For now I will rely on my high-end pc

The power of the cloud is realised in Forza 5 it would seem. Can't wait to try this out it sound like fun. My interpretation is it'll be like going to an arcade with one of those bank of 8 car games every time you play. Cannot wait!

Ps Eurogamer aren't impressed (Lowest score so far on MetaCritic)

Posted 14:16 on 20 November 2013

anialator136

Wish Driveclub wasn't delayed. Xbox fans are lucky to be able to enjoy this game launch day